After getting thumped on the head, some children may have seizures. But that doesn't necessarily mean they have permanent brain damage, according to a study done by a group of researchers from the University of California–Davis School of Medicine.

What the researchers wanted to know: If a child has a seizure after a bump on the head, is he likely to have more neurological problems, or is it safe to send him home?

What they did: Patients under 18 who had a seizure after a bonk on the head (and before they got to the emergency room) were enrolled in the study. The doctors who treated the patients decided whether they would be admitted to the hospital, the same as always. All but one of the children had CT scans done on their heads to look for brain injuries.

What they found: Of 62 children who had seizures and CT scans, 10 had brain injuries visible on the scans and were hospitalized. Three had neurosurgery, and two had more seizures while they were in the hospital. Of the 52 children with normal CT scans, 20 were hospitalized anyway. Not a single one of the 52 had any further seizures or neurological problems while they were in the hospital or none were reported when researchers called their families at home later.

What this study means to you: This could help doctors decide which kids are likely to have more serious problems.

Caveats: The sample was on the small side, so emergency doctors might be reluctant to change their hospital-admitting practices based on this study.

Find out more: The American College of Emergency Physicians publishes the journal this article appeared in, and the UC–Davis School of Medicine conducted the study.

Read the article: Holmes, J.F. et al. "Do Children Require Hospitalization After Immediate Posttraumatic Seizures?" Annals of Emergency Medicine. June 2004, Vol. 43, No. 6, pp. 706–710.